Land Use Conservation & Policy (LUCP) Section Manager – Environmental Planner 5 – Perm – 2026-05528

Working Title– Land Use Conservation & Policy (LUCP) Section Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Habitat Program – Ecosystem Services Division
Duty Station– *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
*While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about conservation efforts and how land use can contribute to conservation and recovery of fish and wildlife?

With sustainability and conservation in mind, this position will help ensure that habitat exists in sufficient quantity and quality.

With your experience, the LUCP Section Manager will serve as the agency’s senior planning consultant and lead the ongoing development and implementation of the LUCP Section responsibilities within the Habitat Program.

WHAT TO EXPECT –
The primary responsibilities of this position include:

Fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities implementation: 

Manage the Land Use Conservation & Policy (LUCP) Section to promote the fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation priorities of WDFW through development and implementation of strategic and operational planning systems.

• Developing and providing plan- and project-level application resources in support of the land use planning functions of local governments and the engagement of WDFW regional Habitat Program staff in that land use planning work.
• Providing superior customer service to WDFW regional Habitat Program staff, and ancillary programs of WDFW, in support of their land use plan- and project-level technical assistance and oversight functions.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of LUCP land use planning products, services, and training to WDFW regional Habitat Program staff using landscape and project scale expertise and materials to achieve WDFW conservation goals.
• Facilitating the resolution of pertinent management issues arising from planning activities which are complex or sensitive, involve multiple programs, and/or deal with major environmental issues facing the department (e.g., climate resilience).
• Overseeing and supporting existing land use planning efforts in Washington’s prairies, forests, shrubsteppe, wetlands, riparian areas, and other priority habitats in partnership with other WDFW programs and with the other Sections within the Ecosystem Services Division.
• Proactively coordinate, collaborate, and communicate with internal and external partners and stakeholders to achieve habitat conservation goals and outcomes.

Land use policy coordination: Provides policy coordination and consultation with other state and federal agencies, tribes, and local governments to identify and resolve major land use policy issues that affect the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat including those issues that arise in Growth Management Act (GMA), Shoreline Management Act (SMA), Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP), and federal Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP).

• Serve as the agency’s policy representative in inter-agency forums that address GMA, SMA, and related land use planning issues to achieve WDFW conservation goals.
• Serve as the agency’s policy representative on inter-agency forums that address VSP and agricultural land uses to ensure integration of fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation needs.
• Coordinate with other agencies and local governments to build consensus around land use plans, policies, and actions that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats, particularly when those decisions involve or may lead to appeals.
• Coordinate and consult with other state agencies, local governments, and other partners to respond to legal issues that may affect protection of fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Serves as the agency’s primary point of contact for local jurisdictions who feel that WDFW is not abiding by the communications goals set forth in the GMA Principles of Correspondence memorandum.
• Work collaboratively with other WDFW programs to support opportunities for improved conservation outcomes with respect to land use planning.

Policy and legislation responsibilities: Develop and recommend land use policies, legislation, and policy/program implementation plans for the department and the state that conserve fish, wildlife, and habitats.

• Develop and review proposed legislation and respond to legislative assignments that would affect land use policy and identify potential effects on the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Serve as the WDFW representative or support the role of the Habitat Program Director and Regional Habitat Program Managers in that representative capacity, on statewide and regional committees and panels focused on collaborative land use and landscape conservation efforts.
• Assemble, organize, facilitate, or oversee multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency teams as needed to fulfill these duties.

Administration, leadership, and supervision: Function as an integral part of the Ecosystem Services Division’s leadership team while cultivating a diverse staff and associated resources.

• Provide excellent supervision to LUCP staff, including clear performance expectations and professional development opportunities contributing to high quality performance, job satisfaction, and staff retention.
• Manage financial resources, including grants, and use department budget and contract applications and project management skills to successfully deliver products and services.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is performed in an office setting.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. A minimum of 20% of time is in-person at the NRB in Olympia. Flexible schedule options may be available after completion of probation/trial service period.

Travel requirements: Occasional travel for training and meeting with other agency staff and local jurisdiction staff.

Customer Interactions: Regular interactions with Division and Section level management; other WDFW programs; Regional Habitat Program staff; city and county planning staff/directors and consultants; other state agency staff. Occasional interactions with local elected officials and tribal natural resources staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, natural resource management, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

And

Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development to include:

• Planning principles, laws (including GMA and SMA), policies, and programs regarding land use and landscape conservation.
• Coordinating complex planning initiatives.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Master’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, natural resource management, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field and five years of professional experience land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning and/or conservation and/or program development.
• Experience working with local governments in Washington to develop and/or implement land use plans, policies, and/or actions in the context of the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Experience interpreting and applying department and state policies to lead major program activities and staff to expected results.
• Experience in negotiation and facilitation on behalf of a governmental agency or non-governmental organization.
• One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory experience including training in conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.

Your application must include the following:

• A COMPLETED online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-05528.

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